China's military patents on the increase

The number of military-related patents secured by China's defence industry increased by an average of 35 per cent per year during the past decade, indicating rapidly developing indigenous capabilities, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) in Beijing.

The MoD figures, issued on 5 September, also show that the total military patents submitted to the State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO) in 2011 exceed, for the third year in succession, the total number of patent applications submitted between 1985 and 2005. Additionally, the MoD said that the number of Chinese industry patents related to "cutting-edge technologies" jumped from 38 per cent of the total patents submitted in 2002 to 55 per cent in 2011.

The MoD said the increase in military-related patents was a result of a government campaign to "fast track" defence research and development programmes and boost industry capability through encouraging innovation.

It added: "The number of defence patents awarded to Chinese companies has grown significantly, marking improvements in independent innovation and ability to develop technologies and weaponry in order to enhance and promote national defence and army building."